THERE ARE not many steeper learning curves in rugby than the one Wales wing Tom Prydie finds himself on at the moment.

Fast-tracked through the Ospreys age-grades after catching the eye of director of coaching Scott Johnson, the teenager full-back-cum wing made just two starts for the region this season – in the Anglo-Welsh Cup against Leeds and Newport Gwent Dragons.

Yet remarkably he will earn his third international cap today when Wales take on New Zealand in the first Test in Dunedin.

Thrust into the spotlight at the tender age of 18 years and 25 days to become Wales’ youngest ever international player in the RBS 6 Nations match against Italy, Prydie has not looked back.

Two weeks ago he scored his first Test try in the narrow 34-31 loss to South Africa in Cardiff and this weekend he is taking on the All Blacks on their home turf – something two members of the Wales coaching staff, Robert Howley and Neil Jenkins, never did in their illustrious careers in the red jersey.

It is little wonder Prydie cannot stop pinching himself.

“At the beginning (of the season) I was thinking a couple of games for the Ospreys would be nice and now I’m getting my third cap against the All Blacks.

“I didn’t even dream of it,” he said.

“I can’t wait to play and I’m really looking forward to it.

This is the biggest Test any player can have playing against the All Blacks.”

He also admitted: “You do get nerves but it’s just overcoming them really.”